My Man Chuckles intriguing play

DEL MAR, Calif. – The trip may be short but there’s no question My Man Chuckles is better around one turn than two, and that makes him an intriguing turn-back play in Thursday’s featured seventh race at Del Mar, a five-furlong grass sprint for second-level allowance runners that came up extremely tough.

My Man Chuckles won two downhill turf sprints at Santa Anita going about 6 1/2 furlongs right after trainer Richard Baltas claimed him, and his form is a bit muddied since, owing to two tries going a mile. He shortens up Thursday, but the concern is if five furlongs is too short.

“It might be,” Baltas said. “He liked the downhill. He might be a late-closing sprinter. I don’t think he wants a mile or a mile and an eighth.”

My Man Chuckles shows three prior starts on the Del Mar turf, and he’s never finished in the money here, but all those races were going two turns, further clouding his form, which could translate into a higher price.

But My Man Chuckles is facing a good field for the level. Most notable among his eight rivals are the stakes winner Mrazek – who is returning from a layoff of 22 months – and Tina’s Exchange, Eric the Trojan, and Eddie Haskell, all three winners going five furlongs on this course.

KEY CONTENDERS

My Man Chuckles, by Into Mischief Last 3 Beyers: 84-90-92

◗ Baltas made a claim for himself and partners for $16,000, so he’s turned a significant profit.

Mrazek, by Square Eddie Last 3 Beyers: 9-90-83

◗ He has been idle since the Grade 3 Eddie D in September 2016, and trainer Doug O’Neill said he’ll probably “need a race or two.

“I’m thinking he’ll get better with races,” said O’Neill, who declined to get into specifics about why Mrazek was off so long.

Tina’s Exchange, by Exchange Rate Last 3 Beyers: 84-89-89

◗ He’s in terrific form, with a win and two seconds in his last three starts, all on the downhill course at Santa Anita.

◗ He was maiden winner going five furlongs on this course last summer.

“He broke his maiden here and I think he’s getting better,” said his trainer, Phil D’Amato, who heated up with a pair of stakes wins last weekend after a slow opening week. “He’s training well.”

Eric the Trojan, by More Than Ready Last 3 Beyers: 86-91-88

◗ He is reunited with Flavien Prat, who rode him to victory in his race before last.

◗ He has finished in the money in 5 of 6 starts sprinting on this course.

Eddie Haskell, by Square Eddie Last 3 Beyers: 84-84-90

◗ He has finished no worse than second in three starts on this course, and is making his third start since returning from a one-year layoff.